Probo Koala To Bangladesh: Refused

Warned by Robin des Bois as early as May 17th 2011 of the Probo Koala’s imminent arrival to be beached for demolition (1), Bangladesh authorities, through its Ministry of Environment & Forest have just closed access to the demolition shipyard to this ship whose last known name was Gulf Jash, IMO number 8309816. This is the first time a ship destined to demolition is turned away from Bangladesh waters. The decision is justified by the history of this tanker and the particularly toxic residue still possibly on board. The list of these substances and a draft of the ship can be found here.

Let us remind that the Probo Koala was sold en bloc to a demolition shipyard along with two sister-ships, the Gulf Ahmadi (ex Probo Bison) and the Gulf Shangra (ex Probo Panda). The Probo Koala must now be tracked to avoid it being demolished in Asia. The demolition of this ship and the recycling of its metals must be done with a maximum amount of precaution. The American Cash-Buyer GMS it going to try to deviate it towards India or Pakistan. Only a European or American demolition shipyard could guarantee sufficient safety standards and transparency. The Probo Koala is not only a ship, it’s also evidence.

(1) Letter adressed to:
Ambassador of Bangladesh in France
Ministry of Environment & Forest - Bangladesh
Bangladesh Ship Breakers Association - Chairman Chittagong
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association.
Chittagong port - Director General of Environment Chittagong.

See also
Probo Koala : The Death Boat heading to the Cemetery. Press Release, May 17th 2011 -13:45 pm
+ Non exhaustive list of hazardous substances onboard or likely to be onboard. 18 May 2011. (pdf)

Trafigura lies - Probo Koala and Trafigura's trial in Amsterdam. June 28, 2010
Probo Koala, the book. May 2010
Toxic wastes in Abidjan. Wastes returning to Europe, Nov 7, 2006
Ivory Coast Waste: Return to Sender, September 29, 2006.
Notice #4: Toxic wastes in the Ivory Coast and fires of repetition in France, September 19, 2006
Notice #3: French businessmen stuck in Abidjan’s toxic mixture, September 14, 2006.
Call for a waste charter, September 12, 2006.
Notice #2: Ivory Coast Pollution, September 12, 2006
Notice #1: Pollution in the Ivory Coast, September 10, 2006
For the whole story (only available in French):
http://www.robindesbois.org/dossiers/probo_koala/page_probo_koala.html